Deadline is reporting that Angelina Jolie Pitt and her Jolie Pas Productions today signed on to produce Cartoon Saloon’s The Breadwinner.

The Breadwinner, which is based on the novel by Deborah Ellis, tells the story of 11-year-old Parvana, who is forced by circumstances to be the breadwinner for her family in a war-torn Taliban-era in Afghanistan.

Nora Twomey, who was co-director on Cartoon Saloon’s first Academy Award nominated film The Secret of Kells, directs The Breadwinner. . The filmwill be produced by Tomm Moore and Paul Young of the Cartoon Saloon, Anthony Leo and Andrew Rosen of Aircraft Pictures, and Stephan Roelants of Melusine Productions. Executive producing with Jolie Pitt will be Jehane Noujaim and Karim Amer of Jolie Pas, and Gerry Shirren at Cartoon Saloon. Financing comes from the Irish Film Board, Telefilm Canada, and private investors from the United States and the Middle East.

[quote title=”Angelina Jolie Pitt – Producer”]Millions of young girls like Parvana are growing up today under oppression or conflict, and helping their families to survive in those conditions. This story is a reminder of the immense value of their contribution. I am delighted to be working with a talented team of artists who I know will do justice to the richness, creativity and strength of Afghan culture and to little girls like Parvana.[/quote]